Italy travel guide for New Zealanders

New Zealand citizens do not need a visa for Italy for tourism, business or family visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This applies across the Schengen Area, so the same allowance covers France, Spain, Germany and the other member states.

From 2026, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before flying. It is not a visa; it is an online application that costs about €7 and is valid for three years or until your passport expires. Apply at least a few weeks before departure, and check the exact start date as it has shifted before.

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area and have at least two blank pages. Border guards may also ask for proof of accommodation, return tickets and enough funds for your stay.

You enter Italy as a visa-free traveller. At passport control, have your passport, proof of accommodation, return or onward ticket, and evidence of funds ready. The officer may ask how long you are staying and where; answer clearly.

The 90-day limit is per 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, so days spent in France or Germany count against the same allowance. Keep track of your entry and exit dates; overstaying can lead to fines and a re-entry ban.

ETIAS is the main change for New Zealanders. Once it is live, airlines will check it before boarding, so apply before booking non-refundable flights. The application asks for basic personal and passport details and is usually approved within minutes, but allow time for delays.

New Zealand has an embassy in Rome, at Via Città della Pieve 26, 00191 Roma. It handles consular services for New Zealanders in Italy, including passport renewals, emergency assistance and notarial services. Hours are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00, but check the official website for current times and appointment requirements.

For urgent help outside office hours, call the embassy and follow the recorded instructions, or contact the 24/7 New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade emergency line in Wellington. The embassy can assist with lost passports, arrests, hospitalisation and other emergencies, but cannot pay bills or arrange flights for you.

If you are travelling outside Rome, note that the embassy is the only New Zealand diplomatic post in Italy; there are honorary consuls in Milan and other cities, but they have limited powers. For visa or immigration questions, contact the Italian authorities instead.

For a two-week trip, budget roughly NZ$3,500–5,000 per person, not including international flights. This covers mid-range hotels (€100–150 a night), meals (€15–25 for a sit-down dinner), local transport and entry fees. Rome and Florence are the most expensive; smaller towns in the south are cheaper.

Flights from Auckland to Rome or Milan usually cost NZ$1,800–2,500 return in economy, with one or two stops. Book early for summer, as prices rise sharply from December. Within Italy, high-speed trains between major cities cost about €40–80 for a one-way ticket if booked in advance.

Daily spending varies: a budget traveller can manage on €60–80 a day with hostels and street food, while a comfortable trip with nicer hotels and restaurants runs €150–250 a day. The euro has been relatively stable against the NZD, but check the current rate before you go.

There are no direct flights from New Zealand to Italy. The most common routes go via Dubai, Doha, Singapore or Hong Kong, with a change in Europe (often London, Frankfurt or Amsterdam) before reaching Rome or Milan. Total travel time is typically 24–30 hours, depending on the connection.

Auckland Airport (AKL) is the main international gateway, with some departures from Christchurch and Wellington via Australia. Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines fly to Europe; from there, ITA Airways, Lufthansa or low-cost carriers connect to Italian cities.

Use the flight-time planner to compare routes and time differences. Italy is 10–12 hours behind New Zealand (CET vs NZST), so plan for jet lag. Book flights at least three months ahead for the best prices, and consider flying into Milan and out of Rome to avoid backtracking.

Italy uses plug types C, F and L, with a standard voltage of 230 V and frequency 50 Hz. New Zealand uses type I plugs with 230 V, so your devices will work with a simple plug adapter; you do not need a voltage converter for most electronics like phones and laptops.

Type L is the Italian three-pin standard, but C and F (the common European two-pin) also fit most sockets. Bring a universal adapter, as older buildings may have only type L sockets. Power cuts are rare but can happen in rural areas.

If you are bringing a hairdryer or other high-wattage appliance, check the wattage; some travel adapters do not support high loads. For USB devices, a multi-port charger with a universal plug is handy.

Tipping is not expected in Italy. A service charge called coperto (cover charge) is usually added to your bill, typically €1–3 per person, and covers bread and table service. You can round up the bill or leave €1–2 per person for good service, but it is not required.

In restaurants, check the bill for a 'servizio' line; if it is included, you do not need to tip extra. In bars and cafés, locals often pay at the counter and do not tip. For taxi drivers, rounding up to the nearest euro is fine. Tour guides and hotel porters may appreciate a small tip, but it is optional.

The single European emergency number is 112, which works for police, fire and ambulance across Italy. You can also call 113 for police, 115 for fire, 118 for ambulance, and 1530 for coast guard. Operators usually speak English, but have your location ready.

For non-urgent police matters, go to a local police station (questura). For lost passports, contact the New Zealand embassy in Rome. For medical help, pharmacies (farmacia) are widespread and can treat minor issues; for serious problems, call 118 or go to a hospital emergency room (pronto soccorso).

Save the embassy number and your travel insurance emergency line in your phone before you go. Italy has good mobile coverage, and 112 works even without a SIM card.

Do New Zealanders need a visa for Italy? No, for stays up to 90 days in 180 days. You will need ETIAS from 2026.

How much does a trip to Italy cost in NZD? Budget NZ$3,500–5,000 per person for two weeks, excluding flights.

Where is the nearest New Zealand embassy in Italy? In Rome, at Via Città della Pieve 26.

Official sources for entry requirements and safety advice.